A Perfect Day Kitesurfing In Zanzibar

Do you want to know what a perfect day kitesurfing in Zanzibar would look like? Keep reading!

Paje beach

So I recently moved to Zanzibar, Tanzania, for the summer season. I am working as a kitesurf instructor at Zanzibar Kite Paradise, a kitesurfing school at a little town from the south east of the island: Paje. I am in love with this place as it is providing #IloveMyLife moments. Kitesurfing in Zanzibar means perfect steady windy days surrounded by flat turquoise water and a fun reef to play with the waves. Too good!

Paje beach

So after few weeks here I learned the important stuff: How to score a TOP day in Paje, when kitesrufing in Zanzibar:

Wake up and breakfast

The sun rises between 6:00 to 6:30. You can wake up at 8:00 and you will have 1,30h before the wind starts to pick up. You can’t miss a breakfast at Mr Kahawa, a super nice beach coffee shop with very nice food, coffee and chill out areas.

Check the tide

In Zanzibar the tide is going to influence a lot your kite session as the beach scenery changes drastically with it. It can go up and down between 1.5 and 4m approximately, shortening and lengthening the beach between 500 to 800 m.

Kitesurfing in Zanzibar

Paje beach

There are two windy seasons for kitesurfing in Zanzibar:

June to September: SE winds, known as Kuzi. Is the winter season and the winds are stronger (17 to 20 knots)

December to March: NE winds, known as Kaskazi. Is the summer season and the winds are a bit lighter (13 to 15 knots)

During both seasons there are steady trade winds and warm tropical water. In Paje the wind direction is predominately side on shore.

There are few kitesurfing spots on the island but the main one is Paje, at the east side of the island. Paje is the best spot, as it has a long beach with a long, flat water lagoon, with lots of space at the beach and sandy bottom. Very close to Paje there is another small kitesurfing town, Jambiani, which is also a place to visit, as is a less touristic and very authentic.

Do you want to see how Paje Beach looks like right now? Use the life webcam from Zanzibar Kite Paradise:

With low tide

Is the perfect time to practice some freestyle at the lagoon. The water is crystal clear and super flat. The reef is too shallow to go, sometimes you can even see it popping out of the water at the outside and some random rocks around too. In the inside of the reef you will normally have around 0.5m of depth.

Paje beach

Lunch break

The beach is full of hotels, resorts, and restaurants where you can have nice lunch without missing anything from the kite beach. I recommend you stop at Ndame Beach Lodge. It has a super pretty setting, water front, very nice food.

With mid tide

If the wind is still blowing as the sun goes down, don’t miss the opportunity to be in the water while kitesurfing in Zanzibar. The sun sets behind the palm trees and gives an epic scenario for your senses.

After kiting beer

Between 6:15 and 6:45 the sun sets. Put your kite down and walk few steps to one of the bars and order the local beer: Safari or Kilimanjaro.

Paje beach

Moving around the beach by bike during the sunset is also a generator of #IloveMyLife times. Especially during low tide, the beach is very flat and you can ride next to the water. Super nice.

Dinner

You had a royal day so you have to finish also like a king. There are many places to go but here are my recommendations. Super authentic place is Bausinga, right at the beach next to Paje village.

And if you feel like going outside Paje take a taxi to go to The Rockto have a drink, which is a magical restaurant on top of a rock in the middle of the sea. Then go to Upendo which is another restaurant, in front of The Rock, where you can also enjoy the nice views and very good food. Upendo has a very beautiful chill out environment where you are going to love life for sure.

I think if you ask my friends they might say I am a happy, spontaneous and outgoing kitesurfer. My family would describe me more as a laid back and relaxed person, probably stubborn too. My co-workers might think I am fortunate, passionate and maybe a bit crazy. I see myself as an adventurous, playful, confident and a life lover spirit.